Wynonna Ellen Judd ( born Christina Claire Ciminella on May 30, 1964) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Wynonna Ellen Judd ( born Christina Claire Ciminella on May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds. The duo released seven albums on Curb Records, in addition to charting 26 singles, of which 14 were number one hits.

After The Judds disbanded in 1991, she then went to Texas Wynonna began a solo career, also on Curb. In her solo career, she has released eight studio albums, a live album, a holiday album and two compilation albums in addition to charting more than 20 singles of her own. Her first three singles—"She Is His Only Need", "I Saw the Light," and "No One Else on Earth"—all reached number one on the U.S. country singles charts consecutively, as did 1993's "Only Love" and 1996's, "To Be Loved by You." Three of her albums are certified platinum or higher by the RIAA. She released a new single, "Something You Can't Live Without," in March 2013. Her most recent recording, Wynonna & The Big Noise, was released on February 12, 2016 via Curb Records. Wynonna & the Big Noise are a country band lead by Wynonna and husband Cactus Mosher. Wynonna is most recognized for her musical work, although starting in the 2000s she has also pursued other interests, including writing, acting and philanthropy.

I Want to Know What Love Is
Wynonna Judd Lyrics

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I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older

This mountain I must climb
Feels like the world's upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine

It keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
I can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I want to know what love is
I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me

I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I want to know what love is
I want you to show me

I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me

Overall Meaning

Wynonna Judd's song "I Want to Know What Love Is" is a heartfelt ballad about longing for love and the struggle to find it. The opening lines of the song, "I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over, I better read between the lines, in case I need it when I'm older," express a sense of caution and the need for self-reflection before moving forward in a relationship. The line, "This mountain I must climb, feels like the world's upon my shoulders," represents the weight of past experiences and disappointments that can make it difficult to trust and open up to love. However, despite these challenges, the shining love through the clouds keeps the singer motivated and hopeful.

The second verse continues the theme of past heartache and pain, with the lyrics, "In my life there's been heartache and pain, I don't know if I can face it again, I can't stop now, I've traveled so far, to change this lonely life." These lyrics express the fear of repeating past mistakes and the determination to find a way to break the cycle of loneliness. The chorus repeats the desire to understand and experience true love, with the lines, "I want to know what love is, I want you to show me, I want to feel what love is, I know you can show me."

Overall, "I Want to Know What Love Is" represents the universal human desire for love and connection, even in the face of past disappointments and uncertainties. It is a powerful and relatable song that has resonated with audiences for decades.

Line by Line Meaning

I gotta take a little time
I need to slow down and reflect

A little time to think things over
I need to take some time to consider things

I better read between the lines
I need to look for deeper meaning

In case I need it when I'm older
So that it can benefit me in the future

This mountain I must climb
This challenge I need to face

Feels like the world's upon my shoulders
It's a heavy burden to bear

Through the clouds I see love shine
In the midst of struggle, I see hope and positivity

It keeps me warm as life grows colder
Love provides comfort in difficult times

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I've experienced difficult emotions in my past

I don't know if I can face it again
I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to handle it again

I can't stop now, I've traveled so far
I've come too far to give up